A tiger in a New York zoo has tested positive for coronavirus and three others are showing symptoms of the highly contagious respiratory infection.

Nadia, a four-year-old female Malayan tiger, and three African lions had developed a dry cough at the Bronx Zoo located within the Bronx Park.

All four big cats are expected to recover.

The US Department of Agriculture, which confirmed Nadia's test result at its veterinary lab, believes it is the first known coronavirus infection in an animal in America or a tiger anywhere in the world.

The tigers experienced some decrease in appetite but are otherwise "doing well under veterinary care and are bright, alert and interactive with their keepers".

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"We tested the cat [Nadia] out of an abundance of caution and will ensure any knowledge we gain about COVID-19 will contribute to the world's continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus," the zoo said.

It said it will continue to monitor the cats closely and anticipates full recoveries, adding that none of the zoo's other big cats including snow leopards, cheetahs, a clouded leopard, Amur leopard and a puma were showing any signs of illness.

Coronavirus has infected more than 1.2 million people across the world and at least 69,451 have died with the disease.

It is believed the virus was first transferred to people at a food market that trades wildlife in Wuhan, China.

The zoo's statement added:"There is no evidence that animals play a role in the transmission of COVID-19 to people other than the initial event in the Wuhan market, and no evidence that any person has been infected with COVID-19 in the US by animals, including by pet dogs or cats."